It happens fast. You’ve just been in a car crash in Los Angeles. Your car’s wrecked, your body aches, and you’re overwhelmed. Within a day or two, your phone rings — it’s the insurance company.

The voice on the other end sounds polite, calm, and helpful.

“We just need your statement to process your claim.”
“Don’t worry — this is standard procedure.”
“We want to help get your car repaired and medical bills paid quickly.”

But behind that friendly tone is a trained professional whose real job is to protect the insurance company — not you.

At The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, we’ve spent more than 38 years helping Los Angeles accident victims who unknowingly said the wrong thing to an insurance adjuster — and paid the price for it.

If you were hurt in a crash anywhere in Southern California, the single most important decision you can make after getting medical care is this: Talk to a lawyer before you talk to the insurance company.

Why Insurance Companies Contact You So Quickly

Insurance adjusters move fast because they want to control your claim before you understand your rights.

They know you’re:

• Stressed about your car, bills, and missed work

• Unsure of what your case is worth

• Possibly injured and medicated

• Eager to just “get it over with”

That’s when they strike.

Their goal is to minimize payouts, and they do it by:

• Getting you to make recorded statements they can twist later

• Offering lowball settlements before you know the full extent of your injuries

• Asking questions designed to make it sound like you were partly at fault

• Getting you to sign releases that let them dig through your entire medical history

They don’t care about what’s fair — they care about what’s cheap.

California’s Comparative Fault Law: How a Single Word Can Reduce Your Settlement

California uses a “pure comparative negligence” rule. That means if you’re found partly responsible for an accident, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault.

• Example: You’re awarded $100,000, but found 25% at fault — you only get $75,000.

Insurance adjusters know this rule inside and out. Their entire strategy revolves around getting you to say something that can shift even a small portion of blame onto you.

Phrases like:

“I didn’t see the other car.”
“It happened so fast.”
“Maybe I was a little distracted.”

can easily be used to argue comparative negligence and slash your recovery.

What Really Happens When You Talk to the Adjuster Alone

1. Every Word Is Recorded

Even a casual “I’m okay” can later be interpreted as “the injuries weren’t serious.” Adjusters are trained to extract statements they can use against you.

2. They Try to Get You to Minimize Injuries

They’ll ask leading questions like, “You didn’t need an ambulance, right?” or “You feel better now?” to suggest you’re fine — even if your pain worsens later.

3. They Ask for Broad Medical Releases

Once signed, they’ll comb through your entire medical history to find any prior condition to blame for your current pain.

4. They Offer “Quick Money”

That small settlement check might look like relief today — but it permanently ends your case. Once you cash it, you lose the right to ask for more.

5. They Delay Until You’re Desperate

If you resist, they stall. No returned calls, endless “reviewing your file” messages — all designed to make you frustrated enough to settle cheap.

Why Hiring a Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer Changes Everything

The moment you hire The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, everything changes.

Insurance companies are legally required to communicate through your attorney, not you. That means no more manipulative calls, no more pressure, and no more traps.

Here’s What Our Legal Team Does for You:

• Takes over all communication with the insurance company immediately

• Launches a full investigation — police reports, traffic camera footage, witness statements, and expert analysis

• Documents your injuries through trusted local doctors and specialists

• Calculates your full case value, including medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering

• Negotiates aggressively for the highest possible settlement

• Prepares for trial from day one — because insurance companies offer more when they know we’ll go to court

Our reputation across Los Angeles and Southern California is built on one thing: results. We’ve recovered over $450 million for injured clients, and we don’t settle for less than what you deserve.

Common Tactics Used by Insurance Adjusters (and How We Stop Them)

California Deadlines: Don’t Wait To Call A Lawyer

Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, you generally have two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.

But don’t wait that long.

Delays can:

• Allow crucial evidence (surveillance, dash-cam, witness memory) to disappear

• Create gaps in medical treatment that weaken your case

• Let the insurer control the narrative

The sooner you contact a Los Angeles injury lawyer, the sooner your rights — and your case — are protected.

Types of Accidents Where Adjusters Strike First

Insurance adjusters are especially aggressive after:

• Car accidents on the 101, 405, or 5 freeways

• Motorcycle crashes in Los Angeles County and surrounding areas

• Pedestrian accidents at crosswalks or intersections

• Slip and fall incidents in stores, restaurants, or parking lots

• Truck and rideshare accidents (Uber, Lyft, Amazon delivery)

• Dog bites and premises injuries

No matter the accident type, their goal never changes: get you to settle for less.

How Our Attorneys Determine the True Value of Your Case

Insurance companies often base their offer on medical bills alone — but your total damages go far beyond that.

Economic Damages

• Ambulance and ER bills

• Surgeries, physical therapy, and medication

• Lost wages and future loss of earnings

• Property damage (vehicle, personal belongings)

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress and anxiety

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Permanent scarring or disability

Punitive Damages

In severe cases of reckless or drunk driving, California courts may award punitive damages to punish the at-fault driver.

At Gerald L. Marcus Law, we fight for every dollar you’re entitled to — and we don’t stop until you’re made whole.

Case Spotlight: From $12,000 to $385,000

A Los Angeles client was injured in a rear-end crash in Burbank. The at-fault driver’s insurance offered $12,000.

After our investigation uncovered surveillance footage and additional medical evidence, our team secured a $385,000 settlement — more than 30 times the original offer.

That’s the power of having an aggressive, experienced Los Angeles accident lawyer on your side.

What to Do If the Insurance Adjuster Calls

If you haven’t yet retained a lawyer and an adjuster calls:

✅ Do This

• Get their name, company, and claim number

• Stay polite but firm

• Say: “I’m not comfortable discussing this until I’ve spoken with my attorney”

• End the call

🚫 Don’t Do This

• Don’t guess or speculate about what happened

• Don’t say “I’m fine” or discuss your injuries

• Don’t agree to be recorded

• Don’t sign or accept any checks

Even small talk can harm your case. The less you say, the stronger your claim remains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need a lawyer after a minor car accident in Los Angeles?

Yes. Even “minor” crashes can lead to hidden injuries like whiplash or herniated discs. Having a lawyer ensures you don’t settle before knowing the full impact.

How much does it cost to hire The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus?

There are no upfront fees. We work on a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Can I still recover money if I was partly at fault?

Yes. Under California’s comparative fault law, you can still recover damages — but your award may be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How long do I have to file a claim in California?

Two years from the date of the accident (in most cases). Don’t wait — evidence and witnesses are best preserved early.

What if I already spoke to the adjuster?

Call us immediately. We can step in to prevent further harm and correct the record before it’s too late.

Why Waiting Can Cost You Everything

Every day you delay hiring an attorney, the insurance company gains more control.
They build their defense, shape the narrative, and gather statements — often before you’ve even healed.

Once evidence disappears or the statute of limitations runs out, there’s nothing anyone can do.
Don’t wait. Every minute matters.

Local Experience Matters: Why Los Angeles Clients Trust Us

For more than 38 years, The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus has represented injury victims across Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, and beyond.

We know how local adjusters, defense attorneys, and judges operate. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with every major insurance carrier — and we’ve beaten them.

Our results speak for themselves: Over $450 million recovered for accident victims.

When the insurance company knows Gerald L. Marcus is on your case, they know you mean business.

Our Proven Process

1. Free Consultation – We review your case and explain your rights clearly.

2. Immediate Protection – All insurance communication stops once we’re retained.

3. Investigation & Documentation – We gather all evidence and build your claim.

4. Aggressive Negotiation – We demand full compensation for your injuries.

5. Trial-Ready Approach – If they don’t pay fair value, we take them to court.

We don’t bluff — we build cases to win.

Key Takeaways: Protect Yourself Before It’s Too Late

• Never give a recorded statement to the insurance company.

• Never sign documents without legal review.

• Never accept a check before finishing medical treatment.

• Always contact a Los Angeles injury lawyer before returning the adjuster’s call.

One Call Could Change Everything

Insurance companies are not your friends. Their job is to limit payouts, not deliver justice.
Don’t let one conversation jeopardize your future.

At The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, we’ve built our reputation on protecting accident victims and holding insurance companies accountable — no excuses, no delays, just results.

If you’ve been injured in Los Angeles or anywhere in Southern California, call us before you talk to the adjuster.

Call (818) 784-8544 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

You pay nothing unless we win.